Top 5 memorable clash between India and Zimbabwe

Dec 13, 2017 at 8:14 PM

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Top 5 memorable clash between India and Zimbabwe

This Zimbabwe tour holds a great importance for both skipper MS Dhoni and Team India. Dhoni as a batsman has an opportunity to complete his 10,000 runs in ODIs and better his winning percentage overseas. With a comprehensive win in the first ODI, he is obviously full of confidence.

For Team India, which is full of debutants and new faces, it will be an opportunity to test its bench strength. Historically, Men In Blue have enjoyed an upper hand over Zimbabwe, but some encounters between the two sides have had their share of excitements and setbacks.

India-Zimbabwe have locked horns on 60 occasions, since 1983.

Matches India won: India have won 48 matches.

Zimbabwe won: Zimbabwe came out victorious on 10 occasions, while two matches remained without results.

Here are five exciting encounters between the two teams, remembered for the quality of the game, irrespective of end results.

5. Zimbabwe tour of India, 1st ODI: At Faridabad (Mar 7, 2002)Marillier - Copy

This match is still remembered for a masterclass innings; Dougie (Douglas) Marillier’s explosive half-century which gave a dramatic victory for Zimbabwe in the very last over and stunned the mighty Indians. Chasing a massive total of 277 that time, the touring Zimbabweans defeated India by 1 wicket with 2 balls to spare. Marillier’s 50 runs came off in just 21 balls which actually built the foundation for his side’s thrilling victory.

Brief Scores: India: 274/ (6 wickets in 50 overs); VVS Laxman: 75, Sourav Ganguly: 57, Heath Streak: 2/53 (10 overs) Zimbabwe: 277/9 in 49.4 overs; Alastair Campbell: 84, Andy Flower: 71, Zaheer Khan 4/47 (10 overs).

Zimbabwe defeated India by 1 wicket with 2 balls to spare. 
4. ICC World Cup 1999: Biggest setback for India in World CupIndia-vs-Zimbabwe-1999-World-Cup

On May 19, 1999, India was completely shell-shocked as the so-called ‘minnows’ Zimbabwe clinched a 3-run win over India ending the Men in Blue’s World Cup campaign. This was also India’s first ever defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe in a World Cup match held in England.

Brief Scores: Zimbabwe: 252/9 in 50 overs; Andy Flower: 68, Javagal Srinath 2/35 (10 overs). India: 249/ (all out in 45 overs); Sadagopan Ramesh: 55, Ajay Jadeja: 43 (76 balls), Heath Streak: 0/17 (4 overs), Olonga: 3/22 (4 overs)

Zimbabwe beat India by 3 runs. 
3. Coca-Cola Champions Trophy – Final: When Tendulkar showed who’s the besttendulkar 124

This was one of the many matches we still like to watch on Youtube just to recollect the memories how Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar used to destroy opposition bowlers and show them why he was the most feared batsman in ODIs. Sachin smashed 124 off 92 balls to make sure India achieve one of its biggest wins in a final match of any competition.

The match was held on Nov 13, 1998, at Sharjah. After enduring a humiliating defeat against the same opposition only two days back, India first contained Zimbabwe at 196. Chasing relatively an easy target, India’s best opening pair Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar enjoyed a sweet revenge and snatched a 10-wicket victory. Tendulkar’s  target was previous match’s hero ‘Henry Olonga’, who couldn’t even complete his full quota of 10 overs. Olonga went for 0/50 in 6 overs.

Brief Scores: Zimbabwe: 196/9 in 50 overs; Paul Strang: 46, Javagal Srinath 3/40 (10 overs). India: 197 (0 wickets in 30 overs); Sachin Tendulkar: 124* (92 balls), Sourav Ganguly: 63* (90 balls), Heath Streak: 0/17 (4 overs), Olonga: 0/50 (6 overs).

India won the match by 10 wickets, with 120 balls remaining and lift Coca-Cola Champions Trophy. 

2. Coca-Cola Champions Trophy, League Match: Olonga’s exploits left India rattled300px-Henry_Olonga_Cricket_Zimbabwe

It was the 6th league match played at Sharjah, Nov 11, 1998, in which Zimbabwe surprised everyone by defeating tournament favourites India in a low scoring encounter courtesy the lethal spell of Henry Olonga. The pacer’s match-winning figures of 4/46 included the prized wickets of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Ajay Jadeja and it destroyed the Indian batting line-up like a house of cards. Zimbabwe had to win the match to qualify for the final and they did it only to fix a summit clash with the same opponents.

Brief Scores: Zimbabwe: 205/7 in 50 overs; Alastair Campbell: 83, Sunil Joshi 2/43 (9 overs). India: 192 (all out; 47.4 overs); Robin Singh: 49*, Nikhil Chopra: 39, Henry Olonga: 4/46 (8 overs).

Zimbabwe beat India by 13 runs.

1. 1983 Prudential World Cup: When Kapil Dev became legendkapil.jpg

This One Day International (back then it was a 60-over match) was played on 18 June 1983, which India won by 31 runs after a thrilling encounter and the match is best remembered for Indian captain Kapil Dev’s match-winning knock. The legendary Indian all-rounder made a world record by blistering a 175 not out off 138 balls, an innings which is still relished by Indian cricket fans. The destructive innings included 16 fours and 6 sixes. Also, Kapil and Syed Kirmani participated in a record 126-run partnership for the ninth wicket when India were wobbling at 140/8 at one stage.

Brief Scores: India: 266/8 in 60 overs; Kapil Dev: 175*, Syed Kirmani: 24* Zimbabwe: 235 (all out; 57 overs); R Brown: 35, Kevin Curran: 73, Madan Lal 3/42.

 India won by 31 runs. 

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